Voting machine



Dec. 27, 1938. c; GLENN ET AL 2,141,603

VOTING MACHINE Filed June 1.0, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY.

Dec. 7, 1938- c. E. GLENN ET AL 2,141,603

VOTING MACHINE Filed June 10, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

TTORNEY.

Dec. 27, 1938. c E, GLENN El AL VOTING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 10, 1936 MEIDFTEI 0 H O [E 0 U Cb E #05 4am WKMFOS JKPOLI n Deb. 27, 1938. c. E. GLENN ET AL VOTING MACHINE Filed June 10, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FN IH H H H I h l lu IH lHHHHH l I I PHHH H In l l hnHU &

Dec. 27, 1938. c, E. GLENN El AL VOTING MACHINE Filed June 10, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENT? ATTORNEY.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,141,603 VOTING MACHINE Coulter E. Glenn, Evans City, and Harvey S. Glenn, Oakmont, Pa.

Application June 10,

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a voting machine, and important objects thereof are to provide a voting machine of the character described, which will function efficiently to meet any and all voting requirements, which will facilitate voting operations and prevent voting irregularities, which will count and total the votes cast and provide for voting for candidates not regularly listed, which embodies relatively few parts, which may be readily understood and conveniently operated even by unskilled voters, which is simple in its construction and arrangement, durable, compact, positive in its action, and comparatively economical in its manufacture, use and maintenance.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts herein specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but it is to be understood that the latter are merely illustrative of an embodiment of the invention, and that the actual needs of practice and manufacture may require certain mechanical variations from the embodiment shown. It is, therefore, not intended to limit the invention to the disclosure thereof illustrated, but rather to define such limitations to the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a voting machine, constructed in accordance with the invention, with portions in cross section and with parts being broken away. Figures 2 and 3 are top plan views of the machine, with portions in cross section and with parts broken away. Figures 4 and 5 are fragmentary side views of control mechanisms of the device. Figure 6 is a fragmentary front view of the apparatus. Figure 7 is a side view, partly in cross section, of a voting unit projected rearwardly in the machine, and Figure 8 is a top plan view of a vote drawer.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary rear end view of a vote drawer, partly in cross section. Figure 10 is a front view of a vote drawer and of associated parts. Figures 11 and 12 are fragmentary side views of a vote tube and of control elements for the latter. Figures 13 and 14 are, respectively,

fragmentary side and top plan views of vote regulating elements. Figure 15 is a fragmentary side view of the operating elements for setting the machine in the voting position, and Figures 16 and 17 are fragmentary side views illustrating relative positions of vote tubes with associated 1936, Serial No. 84,482

control elements, the latter being partly in cross section.

Referring in detail to the drawings l denotes the entire frame of the machine, which is enclosed in a suitable housing (not shown) to facilitate its handling, transportation, storage and protection. The housing is provided with the necessary closable entrances to permit ready access to the apparatus for operating, regulating, adjusting and repairing the latter.

The front 2, of the frame, is provided with a plurality of glass covered display holders, respectively indicated at 3, 4, 5, 6, I, 8, 9 and In for receiving and holding caption cards bearing the names of the recognized candidates and offices, party affiliations, or questions to be voted on by the voters.

A plurality of vote tubes, respectively indicated at H and 12, are suitably mounted in the frame for longitudinal shiftable movements in the latter. The vote tubes are disposed horizontally and parallel to each other, and are preferably round in transverse cross section. The front ends of the vote tubes extend through correspondingly shaped openings provided therefor in the frame front 2.

When in the projecting unvoted positions, the front end portions of the vote tubes l l and I2 extend outwardly or forwardly from the frame front 2, and such projections are limited by stop pins l3, which are fixed on all vote tubes to engage the inner rear face of the frame front. The various display holders are disposed adjacent to respective vote tubes to designate the names or questions to be voted on by the operations of the latter.

The vote tubes Ii are employed only for voting the straight party ticket in one operation, and the vote tubes l2 are used in all other voting operations for recognized or listed candidates, and are uniformly arranged in vertically and transversely disposed rows.

Each of the vote tubes H and I2 is formed with an elongated, longitudinally disposed slot M, which extends vertically through the entire tube adjacent to the rear end thereof. A tension plate I5 is fixed to the frame and extends through the slot I4 in each of the vote tubes. The tension plates have rearwardly inclined top edges, which are disposed above the tops of respective vote tubes. A tension pin I6 is fixed in each of the vote tubes, and is disposed forwardly of and spaced from respective tension plates IS. A tensioned, spiral expansion spring I1 is mounted in each vote tube, and respective ends thereof abut w uakluu ULLU ciiiuuuicu. ociisiuu. p111 auu bBIlSlUIl plate. The normal action of the spring I'I tends to forcibly return and hold the vote tube to the projecting unvoted position in the frame.

A flexible member in the form of a chain or non-stretchable restriction cable I8 extends transversely across the top of the rear end portions of each transversely arranged row of vote tubes I2. When the latter are disposed in the projecting unvoted positions, the restriction cable I8 extends in a straight line on the rearwardly inclined top edges of the tension plates I5, and forwardly of and in contact with a plurality of vertically pivoted rollers IS. The latter are suitably supported in the frame and are arranged in a transversely aligned row. One of said rollers is disposed at each side of each of the vote tubes I2. The end portions of the cable I8 pass around respective sheaves 20, which are pivotally supported in the frame and disposed at respective ends of the transversely aligned row of rollers I9.

Each end of the cable I8 passes slidably through an aperture in respective brackets 2I and carries an end stop 22. The brackets 2| are fixed to the frame and are located forwardly of respective sheaves 20.

The cable I8 is held taut at all times against the rollers I S and sheaves 20 by a pair of tensioned, spiral compression springs 23. One end of each of the springs 23 is attached to respective stops 22, and the other end thereof is secured to the frame.

A pair of vertically disposed cable shifters 24 is fixed to the top of each vote tube I2 on respective sides of the slot I4 and of the tension plate I5. The shifters 24 have rearwardly inclined top edges, which cooperate with the similarly inclined top edges of the tension plates I5 for automatically engaging and releasing the restriction cable I8 during the voting operations. When a vote tube I2 is in the projecting unvoted position, the shifters 24 are disposed forwardly of the cable I8.

During the rearward travel of an individual vote tube I2 to the voted position, the restriction cable I8 will be engaged by the rear ends of the shifters 24, and it is drawn rearwardly to a zigzag position between the adjacent rollers I9, as shown in Figure 2, until said vote tube reaches the inserted voted position, at which time the end stops 22 will have been pulled against respective brackets 2I against the action of the spring 23.

The rear end of the rearwardly inclined edge of the tension plate I5 is disposed above the rear ends of the rearwardly inclined top edges of the cable shifters 24, so that, when the cable I8 is forced rearwardly by the rear ends of the shifters, said cable will shift rearwardly along the top edge of the tension plate until it clears and disengages the tops of the rear ends of the shifters. The action of the springs 23 will then draw the previously engaged portion of the cable forwardly over the shifters and again dispose said cable in its straight normal position but forwardly of the shifters. When the vote tube is returning to its unvoted position, the inclined top edges of the shifters will move forwardly under the cable to again dispose said shifters forwardly of the cable.

It will here be noted that, the operation of the restriction cable I8, in the manner set forth, renders it absolutely impossible to simultaneously push more than one individual vote tube I2 to the voted position except under certain conditions hereinafter to be described. The length of the cable us, between its end stops 22 when the latter are drawn fully against the brackets 2|, is sufficient only to allow an individual vote tube I2 to be pushed rearwardly in the frame to the required distance to effect the voting operation. If an attempt be made to simultaneously push two or more vote tubes I2 toward the voted position, the operation of the cable I8 will obviously restrict such movements of two or more vote tubes I2 to only partially inserted, inoperative positions.

To prevent a voter from voting for more than the proper number of candidates for any one ofiice, the vote tubes I2 employed are provided with interconnected mechanisms arranged in group control. Such mechanism includes a transversely extending disk shaft 25, which is revolubly mounted in the frame between the rear ends of each horizontal row of vote tubes and the counters 26, one of which latter is provided for each vote tube I2 and is suitably supported in the frame in longitudinal alignment with respective vote tubes.

A regulating disk 27, carrying a fixed ratchet wheel 28 and having an elongated hub 29 revolubly mounted on the shaft 25, is provided for each vote tube I2, and is disposed between the rear end of the latter and its counter 26. A sleeve 30 is mounted on hub 29 of ratchet 2'! and held in slidable position by means of the slot (1 and setscrew b and pin c as shown in Figures 2 and 3 and serves to couple two or more combined ratchets 2'! and regulating disks 28 together for.

oup control to limit the number of candidates to be voted for for any one ofiice, for example: if there are five candidates to be elected for one oflice, five of the combined ratchet and regulating disks are coupled together by means of said sleeve 30, and the pin 36 is placed in the disk 28 in the fifth aperture 35 from the stop bracket 32, and each time a tube I2 is pushed in and locked in the voted position by means of the locking rod Ill and locking notch 12, the pin 36 is movedone space nearer the stop bracket 32, by means of the pin 38 engaging the ratchet 21, and when the five tubes I2 have been pushed in registering the votes on the counters, the pin 35 engages the bracket 32, thus making it impossible to vote for more than the specified number of candidates for one office. A coupling sleeve 30 is mounted on each hub 29, and is adjustable for operatively joining adjacent hubs, on the same shaft 25, together, whereby as many regulating disks 21 as there are candidates for the particular office involved may be coupled together to operate as a unit in group control.

Each of the regulating disks 21 is provided with a fixed holding pin 3I, which is positioned to engage a bracket 32. The latter is fixed to the frame and limits the rotation of the disk 21. A holding cable 33 is secured to the hub 28 and extends forwardly from the under side of the latter. A spring 34 is fixed to the frame and connects with the holding cable 33 for exerting a constant resilient pull on the latter for normally returning and maintaining the holding pin 3| to engage the under side of the bracket 32, whereby the regulating disk 21 may be turned in the rearward direction by the pull of the holding spring 34 and in the forward direction against the action of the latter.

The peripheral edge of each of the regulating disks 2'! is formed with a plurality of uniformly spaced, radially disposed apertures 35 for receiving a removable control pin 36. The latter may be set in any of the disk apertures 35, and its position in the regulating disk determines the number of voting operations allowed each voter by the group of joined regulating elements. When the control pin 36 strikes the top of the bracket 32, the regulating disk 21 is held thereby against further rotation, and thereafter no vote tube l2 in the controlled group can be shifted to the voted position.

Each of the ratchet wheels 28 is provided with a plurality of ratchet teeth, which conform in number and are uniformly spaced to correspond to the apertures 35 in the associated regulating disk. An elongated actuating rod 31 is pivotally connected adjacent to the front end of each of the vote tubes l2, and is longitudinally shiftable with the latter. The rear end of the rod 31 carries a fixed, laterally disposed ratchet pin 38, which is positioned to engage the ratchet teeth at the lower periphery of the ratchet wheel 28 to operate the latter and the associated regulating disk each time a vote tube 12 is pushed rearwardly to the voted position. Immediate return of ratchet 21 by spring 34 is prevented by means of the pin 38 being held in engagement with ratchet 21 when the tube I2 is pushed in and locked in the voted position by means of the locking rod ID engaging the notch 12 in said vote tube l2 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The rear end portion of the actuating rod 31 is shiftably supported in the frame, and is engaged by a suitable spring 39. The action of the latter causes the ratchet pin 38 to engage and operate the ratchet wheel 28 each time the rod 31 is shifting rearwardly, and allows said ratchet pin to return idly under said ratchet wheel when the actuating rod is shifting forwardly and to engage the successive tooth of the ratchet wheel. By this arrangement, each time a vote tube I2 is shifted to the rearward voted position, like movement of the rod 31 will impart partial rotation, in the forward direction, to the regulating disk 21.

The distance or rotary travel of the regulating disk 21, each time the latter is actuated by the rod 31, in the manner stated, is commensurate to the distance between any two adjacent apertures in the regulating disk, whereby each voting operation of the vote tube l2 will cause the mounted control pin 36 to travel a pre-determined distance toward the bracket 2|.

To register the vote, each time a vote tube i2 is shifted to the voted position, a resilient arm 40 is fixed to and projects rearwardly from the rear end of the actuating rod 31. The rear free end of the arm 40 engages a ratchet wheel 4! connecting with each counter 26 to operate the latter to register the vote.

A vote drawer 42 is mounted for longitudinal movement in the frame below each individual vote tube I 2, and is designed for use when voting for a candidate not regularly listed on the machine. A spring 43, connecting with the frame and with the rear end of the drawer 42, is provided for forcibly pulling the latter to the closed position in the frame. A voting strip 44 is carried on a revoluble carrying roll 45 mounted in the front end of the drawer, and slides over a table 46, fixed in the latter beneath the drawer top 41. The latter is provided with an opening 48 for exposing only a sufficient portion of the strip 44 to accommodate one name, which is intended to be written on said exposed portion by the voter.

The voting strip 44, as used, is wound on a winding roll 49, which is mounted in the drawer 42 rearwardly of the carrying roll 45, and is provided with a ratchet wheel 50. The latter is operated by an actuating rod 5|, which has its rear end pivotally connected to the frame. The front end of the rod 5| carries a fixed, laterally disposed ratchet pin 52 engaging the underside of the ratchet wheel 50. A flat spring 53, fixed to the frame, resiliently supports the rod El and maintains the pin 52 in contact with the ratchet wheel 50, whereby the latter is actuated to operate the voting strip for placing an unused portion of the latter for use in registration with the opening 48, each time that the drawer 42 is pulled rearwardly in the frame to the closed position.

When the drawer 42 is pulled forwardly to the open position, the pin 52 will pass idly over the ratchet wheel 59 and will not operate the strip 44. A pair of fiat springs 54 is fixed in the drawer and engage respective rolls 45 and 49 for frictionally retarding the movements of said rolls to maintain the strip 44 taut on the table 46 and between said rolls.

To prevent the simultaneous operation of an individual vote tube I2 and the associated drawer 42, a stop member 55 is provided. The latter is attached to the rear end of a resilient rod 56, which has its front end secured to the frame between the vote tube and the drawer. The stop member 55 is positioned to engage either in a notch 52 in the underside of the vote tube l2, or in a notch 58 in the drawer top 41. Prior to the voting operation, the vote tube i2 is projected to v the unvoted position in the frame, but the drawer 42 is inserted in the closed position, and the stop member 55 is disposed between the notches 51 and 58. If the vote tube i2 is used for voting, the stop member 55 will be forced into the notch 58 in the drawer by the bottom of the vote tube, and said drawer cannot be pulled from the frame for voting purposes. If the drawer is drawn from the frame, the stop member 55 will be forced into the notch 5? of the vote tube l2 by the drawer top 41 and said vote tube cannot be inserted to the voted position.

A straight party vote tube 1 l is horizontally arranged for group control with each horizontally arranged row of vote tubes l2. A vertically disposed control bar 53 is provided for controlling each horizontally arranged row of vote tubes H and i2 and is supported in the frame at the forward ends of a control lever 60 and a crank arm 6!. The latter is fixed to an individual crank shaft 52 which is revolubly mounted in the frame and axially aligned with a locking shaft 63. The shafts 52 and 53 are operatively connected together by a suitable coupling 64 to allow their disconnection to permit the rearward projection or removal of a frame section 65, as a unit, supporting a horizontally arranged row of group controlled vote tubes II and i2 and vote drawers 42, together with the involved operating mechanisms, to facilitate adjustments, repairs and the like. The locking shaft 63 is revolubly mounted in the frame and is disposed above and adjacent to the vote tubes in respective groups horizontally aligned for group control.

The voting machine is set for voting or locked against voting operations by the vertical move ments of the control bars 59, and such movements are manually imparted to the latter by a suitable set mechanism for manipulation by remote control within convenient reach of the proper official of the election board. A separate set mechanism is provided for each control bar 59, and each includes the control lever 60, which has one end pivotally connected to the upper end of the control bar, and is pivoted to the frame intermediate of its ends. The other end of the control lever 50 is attached to a continuous operating cable 66, which passes over suitable located sheaves 61. As shown in Figure 15, a suitably pivoted and supported operating lever 68 connects with the cable 66 and may be engaged in a notched standard 69 for holding the control bar 59 in the shifted positions.

Each of the locking shafts 63 carries a plurality of elongated, resilient locking rods I0, which are fixed in the former, centrally of their lengths, and disposed to extend longitudinally directly above respective vote tubes I I and I2. The top of each of the vote tubes is provided with a pair of spaced notches, respectively indicated at TI and 12, which are positioned for engagement by respective ends of the locking rods I8. When not engaged in said notches either end of the locking rod 18 may resiliently press upon and allow the top of the vote tube to slide thereunder.

Each of the vote drawers 42 cooperates with a separate, longitudinally extending locking bar 13, which is pivotally connected, intermediate of its ends, in an upright support 14 carried at the rear end of the drawer, and slidably mounted in the frame to dispose said locking bar above the associated vote tube 52. The front portion of the locking bar '13 is formed with a pair of spaced notches l5 and 16, which are disposed on the under side thereof.

The notches l5 and 16 are positioned for engagement by respective ends of the associated locking rod 70. The rear end of the locking bar '13 carries a fixed, rearwardly projecting arm H, which is resilient and has a catch I8 having a tapered underfacc at its rear free end for engaging and releasing the top of the associated ratchet wheel 28 to operate the regulating disk 27 when the drawer 42 is pulled to the open position.

When the control bars 59 are lowered, all of the vote tubes I I and I2 will be forced to the projecting unvoted positions by the normal actions of the tension springs IT. The crank arms GI, being pivotally connected to the control bars 59, will actuate the locking shafts G3 and the locking rods IO to cause the front ends of the latter to engage in the front notches H of the vote tubes II and I2, whereby all of said vote tubes will be locked against movement toward the unvoted position. The drawers 42 will be locked in the closed positions by the engagement of the rear ends of the locking rods 19 in the rear notches T6 of the locking bars I3.

When the control bars 59 are elevated, the locking rods 10 are released from the front notches TI and all of the vote tubes are released and may be pushed rearwardly to the voted position. As soon as a vote tube reaches the voted position, the rear free end of the locking rod 18 will engage the rear tube notch '12 and thereby lock the inserted tube in the voted position. When the control bar 59 is elevated, the rear end of the locking rod IE will disengage from the rear notch id in the locking bar I3 releasing the drawer 42 to allow the latter to be pulled to the open position. When the drawer 42 is pulled to the open position, the front end of the locking rod 78 will engage in the front notch 15 in the locking bar I3 and thereby lock said drawer in the open position.

When a straight party ticket is voted by the insertion of a vote tube II to the voted position, all of the individual vote tubes I2 that are arranged in the same horizontal row will be likewise shifted to the voted position, and together with said vote tube II and the associated drawers 42, will be locked in the voted positions. To effect such simultaneous operation of the vote tubes l2 with the vote tube II, a transversely extending pull shaft 19 is revolubly mounted in the frame below the rear end of each horizontally arranged row of vote tubes I l and I2. A pull arm 80 is fixed to one end of the pull shaft I9 and is pivotally connected to the rear end of the vote tube II. A pull arm 8| is fixed on the pull shaft I9 below and at one side of the rear end of each of the vote tubes I2. A transversely extending pull pin 82 is mounted in the rear end of each vote tube I2, and may be adjusted in the latter to position same in the path of travel of the associated pull arm 8| to simultaneously draw the vote tube I2 rearwardly to the voted position when the vote tube II is shifted to the voted position. If not all vote tubes I2 of a controlled group are required, the

pull pin 82 may be adjusted in the vote tube I2- to position said pin 82 out of the path of travel of the pull arm 8|, whereby said vote tube I2 would not shift to the voted position with the vote tube II.

A pull rod 83 is mounted for longitudinal slidable movement in the frame, and is disposed beside the rear end portion of each vote tube I2. The rear end of each pull rod 83 is pivotally connected to the free ends of respective pull arms 8|. A lifter 84, having a forwardly inclined rear end, is fixed to the top of each pull rod 83. The function of the lifter 84 is to elevate the restriction cable I8 so that the latter will not be engaged and drawn rearwardly by the shifters 24 when the vote tube I2 is shifting to the voting position by the operation of the vote tube II.

The lifter 84 is disposed beside the shifters 24 when the vote tube I2 is in the unvoted position, and does not shift to function except when the vote tube I2 is shifted to the voted position by the operation of the vote tube II in the manner stated. When the vote tube I2 shifts to its unvoted position, the rearwardly inclined top edges of the shifters 24 will cause said shifters to pass idly under the restriction cable I8 to their normal positions forwardly of the latter.

To secure any of the vote tubes II and I2, not required for voting purposes, against movement, a securing rod 85 is mounted in the frame for each of the vote tubes. The securing rod 85 carries a fixed, laterally disposed finger 86 and may be turned to position the latter in the path of travel at the rear ends of the vote tubes, whereby the latter cannot be shifted to the voted position in the frame. It will be apparent that, when a vote tube I2 is secured against movement by the securing rod 85, the pull pin 82 on said vote tube must be adjusted to be out of the path of travel of the associated pull arm 8|.

A counter 86, for registering the total number of votes cast on the machine, is mounted and visible at the upper front of the machine. The counter 88 is operated by a bell crank 81, which is pivotally supported in the frame. The upper end of the bell crank 87 carries a forwardly projecting, resilient finger 88 disposed in contact with a ratchet wheel 89 operatively connected with the counter 85. The forward end of the bell crank 81 carries a fixed transversely disposed rod 90, which is held against the underside of a forwardly projecting lug SI, carried by each of the control bars 59, by a spring 92. The latter connects with the frame and with the upper end of the bell crank 91. Each time any control bar 59 is lowered, the bell crank 81 will be actuated to force the finger 88 forwardly to operate the counter 86 to register a voter on the latter. The pull of the spring 92 will shift the bell crank 8! to the inoperative position each time the engaging control bars 59 are returned to the elevated positions.

The individual counters 26, employed for registering the vote cast by the use of respective vote tubes I2, may be of any suitable construc tion to best meet conditions found in practice. The counters 26 are preferably removable from the frame and capable of being locked against tampering, so same can be placed in the hands of the proper election authorities without liability of illegally altering the count registered thereon.

The forward end of each of the vote tubes I2 is provided with a pivotally connected selection tip 93, which is normally aligned in respective vote tubes, but which may be tilted upwardly and frictionally held in a slot provided therefor in the top of the vote tube. The purpose of the tips 93 is to allow the voter to indicate his selections by tilting the tips 93 of the vote tubes bearing the names of the candidates of his choice, prior to shifting any of the vote tubes to the voted position. This arrangement permits the voter to change his selections until satisfied with the completed choice of his selections.

Each of the voting machine sections 65, including the horizontally arranged row of vote tubes II and I2, together with the associated drawers 42 and the embodied operating mechanisms, actually provides a complete, independent voting machine in itself. The number of such sections 65 employed in the voting machine depends upon requirements to best meet voting conditions. The required sections 65 are simply positioned in super-imposed relations to each other, and are connected with independent crank shafts 62 and set mechanisms. Each section 65 embodies one master vote tube I I and a plurality of individual vote tubes I2, and the construction, arrangement and operation of any one section 65 is identical to the others. Any number of vote tubes I2 may be operatively joined for operation in group control, or may be adjusted for individual voting. or may be locked against voting operations entirely.

In practice the operation of the improved voting machine is as follows: Assuming all of the vote tubes II and I2 are secured in the inserted voted positions by the engagement of the locking rods 10 in the rear notches 12 in respective vote tubes, and the vote drawers 42 are secured in the closed position by the engagement of the stop member 55 in the notches 58 in respective vote drawers 42, the election official first manipulates the operating lever 68, of the set mechanisms, to lower the control bars 59. All of the vote tubes ll and I2 will first be released and will be forced outwardly to the projecting unvoted position by the actions of the springs l1, after which all of the vote tubes will be automatically secured in such unvoted position by the engagement of the locking rods 10 in the front notches 'II of the vote tubes. The drawers 42 will remain closed and secured in the closed position by the engagement of the locking rods T in the rear notches 16 in the locking bars 13.

The election official now shifts the control bars 59 to the elevated position, thereby releasing all of the vote tubes II and I2 and the drawers 42.

When so released, the rear ends of the locking rods I0 will be resiliently pressed against the tops of the vote tubes rearwardly of the rear notches I2, and the stop member 55 will be disposed directly intermediate of the notches 51 in the vote tube I2 and the notches 58 in the drawers, whereby either the drawers may be pulled to the open position or the associated vote tubes I2 may be inserted to the voted position, but both cannot be so shifted during any one vote setting of the machine. The machine is now ready to allow voting operations.

A voter, voting the straight party ticket, will push only the single or master vote tube II that designates his party selection to the inserted voted position. Such movement of the vote tube II. to the voted position will simultaneously pull all of the vote tubes I2, embodied in the party group, to the voted position, and the counters 26 will register a vote for each candidate of the party group, and all of the shifted vote tubes with associated drawers 42 will again be secured in the voted position in the manner above stated.

After the voter completes his voting operations, the control bars 59 are again first lowered and then elevated to reset the machine for the next voting operation, as above set forth. If the voter selects to split the party ticket, he first selects his candidates and indicates the latter by tilting the desired selection tips 93 on the vote tubes I2. Assuming there are three candidates to be voted for a certain office, the holding pins 3| will have been set in the regulating disks 2'! to only allow three voting movements of the latter before striking the bracket 32, and the regulating disks 21 of the controlled group will have been operatively connected for combined operation by the couplings 30. The voter selects the three tubes I2, indicating his candidates, and pushes said three selected vote tubes I2, one at a time, to the voted position to complete the voting operation.

Assuming that a voter selects to vote for a party not regularly recognized or listed on the machine, the machine is reset to allow voting operations, and the voter pulls the proper drawer 42 to the open position. The drawer will be held in the open position by the engagement of the front end of the locking rod 10 in the front notch 15 of the locking bar 13. The opening movement of the drawer will shift the locking bar I3 forward to effect such engagement, and to cause the catch I8 to engage and actuate the associated regulating disk 21. It will be evident that a vote employing a drawer 42 is not registered by any counter 26. The voter writes the name of his candidate on the portion of the voting strip 44 that is exposed through the opening 48 in the drawer top 41. When the drawer vote is completed, the lowering of the control bar 59 will disengage the locking rod 10 from the front notch 15 of the locking bar 13, and allow the spring 43 to pull said drawer to the closed position. The movement of the drawer to the closed position will cause the actuating rod 5| to operate the winding roll 49 to position an unused portion of the voting strip 44 in registration with the drawer top opening 48 for the next vote drawer operation.

As hereinbefore stated, each longitudinally arranged row of vote tubes II and I2 with associated drawers 42, is controlled by an individual, independent control bar 59 and a separate, individual set mechanism for operating the latter.

The difierent control bars employed vary only in lengths to accommodate same to the positions of the associated crank arms 6|.

It will be apparent that, in many elections the full capacity of the voting machine may not be needed to meet voting requirements, in which event only the required number of horizontally arranged rows of vote tubes and drawers would be employed.

The restriction cable l8 prevents the simultaneous insertion of more than one tube l2, at one time, to the voted position in any horizontally arranged, group controlled row of tubes except, when the cable [8 is disengaged from certain of the vote tubes I2 when the master tube H is shifted to the voted position, in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.

The improved voting machine is mechanically controlled and manually operated, and in consequence is equally adaptable for use in localities where electric power is not available. The device embodies no delicate or fragile mechanisms, but is ruggedly constructed to assure effective operation with a minimum of wear. The apparatus is comparatively small and light in weight allowing same to be economically handled, transported and stored.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and the method of operation of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and it will be obvious that the device may be economically constructed and will operate eificiently to meet all voting requirements, to eliminate all possibilities of voting irregularities, and to register correct count of all voting operations.

What we claim is:

1. In a voting machine having a plurality of slidable voting members and means for locking said members in the voted and unvoted position, comprising, in combination, actuating rods each respectively mounted on individual voting members, a shaft, a plurality of ratchet wheel and regulating disks loosely mounted thereon, a ratchet actuating pin fixed to the inner end of each actuating rod, and positioned to engage a ratchet wheel, means for locking two or more of said ratchet wheels and regulating disks together for group control, said regulating disks being provided with fixed and adjustable pins, and a bracket to be engaged by the pins whereby upon positioning of one of said adjustable pins relative to its disk the number of voting members operated and therefore the number of candidates voted for for any one ofiice may be limited.

2. In a voting machine, in combination with a plurality of slidable voting members, individual counters for said members, means for locking said voting members in the voted and unvoted position, a transversely extending shaft fixed in the frame in rear of the inner end of said voting members, a plurality of combined ratchet and regulating disks loosely mounted on said shaft, means for coupling two or more ratchet and regulating disks together for group control, each regulating disk being provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced radially disposed apertures for receiving a movable control pin and a stationary stop pin, means for holding the stationary stop pin in engagement with the under side of the stop bracket, means for moving said movable pin one space nearer said stop bracket each time a voting member is pushed in to voted position to register a vote on a counter, whereby the number of voting members which may be operated is limited.

COULTER E. GLENN. HARVEY S. GLENN. 

